SEMI PROSTRATION — Kneel face down on the floor with hands outstretched and slowly stretch your back like a cat.

Glorify God in your body.
1 Cor. 6: 20 "For we are the temple of the living God" 2 Cor. 6: 16.
When we read this, how could we not care for our bodies and see them as holy. Our bodies are inseparable from our spiritual life as temples of God. Body and soul are truly one. We can become willful about our bodies, claiming passion that is not grounded in God but rather grounded in ego. When we separate our physical body from our spiritual body, this causes a distortion of our basic goodness and our orientation to God. This can take us into abuse of our bodies through so many addictive practices. But the energy that stokes our passions can become compassion or "willing for God" passion.

"...the hands, to be raised in prayer and for works of mercy...the feet to walk rightly and follow the will of God...In this way the whole body becomes trained in good and undergoes a change, submitting to the rule of the Holy Spirit, so that in the end it begins in some measure to share in such properties of the spiritual body, as it is to receive at the resurrection of the just." (Philokalia)

Anything we do with an intention to be open to God's presence is a form of prayer. How can we know our bodies as holy in this Western culture where we use the body to support materialism and consumerism? Yet, we can return to God in our bodies. Fasting from consumerism and materialism could be a Lenten discipline. Fasting could be a disciplined way of remembrance, rather than a way of making our body acceptable to cultural norms. Another discipline used during Lent or at anytime could be simply "lowering the centre of gravity" or relaxing the body's centre downwards with awareness of the presence of God in us — Love in us.

A prayer bench is a form of embodied prayer that I like to use, as it holds my posture straight as I kneel, and keeps me mindful of God's presence. You will find some of these in the prayer room at our synod this May. When prayer time ends, another posture I find useful is called a semi prostration where you kneel face down on the floor with hands outstretched and slowly stretch your back like a cat. Then slowly sit up. This can be done several times. I have a friend who does these as his morning prayer time and he may do up to 50 full prostrations each morning. Remain with God mindfully as you do this practice. Done meditatively, this is a wonderful stretch for our internal organs. Simply walking can be a form of prayer. You can walk the labyrinth — there are many labyrinths today that are accessible to us. This is an ancient form of embodied prayer that was used in the early church when pilgrimage was an important part of spiritual life. Those who could not afford the cost of a trip to Jerusalem prayed the labyrinth on their knees. Today we walk, meditate, dance and run through the labyrinth.

Perhaps you would like to try other forms of embodied prayer. If comfortable in water, one feels beautiful and free in it. You can dance before the Divine One. Or we could use a scarf or stole to dance or move gracefully before the One in praise and remembrance. How about lying on your side and praying for a time, then turning to your stomach and then on to your back. How is each position different for you in your prayer time? Sufi turning or whirling can be a beautiful prayer form and if you get a chance to participate in this, do try it. "Dances for Universal Peace" are another form of embodied prayer that can take a group of any size and create holy space through prayerful movement with chant. Sometimes, just lying on your back gazing up at a clear blue or starry sky can be a deeply spiritual practice. Basically any body movement, even just a finger or an eye movement when done mindfully is prayer. Try standing and moving your hands as you repeat: Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ above me, Christ below me, Christ within me, Christ beside me, Christ all around me, and see what happens in your relationship with God. We are physical beings. Embodied prayer is a way to enliven our worship and our relationship with Christ.

A Gift from God

Farewell Dinner for Katherine Loynd

by Pat Lyster

photo art more
FAREWELL — Jan Goater (left) presenting the Rev. Katherine Loynd with a bouquet of flowers at St. Saviour's, Penticton, with Jim Blonde (right).

In September 2007, St. Saviour's Penticton received a marvellous gift — the Reverend Katherine Loynd was appointed Interim Priest in Charge! Little did we know how fortunate we were.

Katherine's great gifts of preaching, teaching and music brought great life and joy to the congregation in so many ways: birthday party for Jesus; pet blessings; the wonderful Epiphany story of the old tired camel told with delightful animation and humour. And, not to be forgotten, the story of the prodigal gosling to reinforce the truth of how "the lost" can be "found."

A farewell dinner party was held on January 16 to honour Katherine and Jim. The full house was a visible tribute and outpouring of genuine love and appreciation we shared. We wish her well as she opens a new door and we want her to know how much we appreciate the solid foundation she left for our new Incumbent. God Bless you Katherine and Jim.